Glossary of Postal Terms and Abbreviations

additional entry (AE)—A Post Office other than the office of aspect ratio—The dimension of a mailpiece expressed as a original entry where a publisher is authorized to mail a ratio of length divided by height (for letters and cards, length is Periodicals publication. the dimension parallel to the address as read). For example, a postcard 5-1/2 inches long by 3-1/2 inches high has an aspect Address Change Service (ACS)—An automated process that ratio of 1.57. An aspect ratio between 1.3 and 2.5, inclusive, is provides change-of-address information to participating mailers required for automation compatibility. who maintain computerized mailing lists. The information is captured in Computerized Forwarding System (CFS) units and automated area distribution center (AADC)—A distribution sent to mailers on electronic media, which reduces the volume zcenter that uses multiline optical character readers (MLOCRs), of manual change-of-address notices. barcode sorters, and other equipment designed for processing automation-compatible mail. Also see area distribution center address correction service—A system of ancillary service (ADC). endorsements that allows mailers to obtain the addressee’s new (forwarding) address or the reason for nondelivery. automation-compatible mail—Mail that can be scanned and processed by automated mail processing equipment such as a Address Element Correction (AEC)—A process that barcode sorter. identifies and revises incomplete or incorrect computerized address files and then attaches ZIP+4 and carrier route codes. automation price—A postage discount offered to mailers who It involves computer matching address records that cannot be barcode their mailpieces and meet addressing, readability, and coded using CASS-certified address matching software. other requirements for processing on automated equipment. airport mail center/airport mail facility (AMC/AMF)—A auxiliary service facility (ASF)—A mail processing facility, postal facility at an airport that receives, concentrates, transfers, that has its own service area and serves as a satellite processing dispatches, and distributes mail transported by air. hub for a particular network distribution center (NDC).

Alternate Mailing System (AMS)—A procedure, authorized balloon price—A price charged for Priority Mail (zones 1–4), by the manager, Business Mailer Support, that provides Parcel Select, and USPS Retail Ground items that weigh less methods for accepting permit imprint mail to ensure proper than 20 pounds and measure between 84 and 108 inches in postage payment and mail preparation without verification by combined length and girth. weight. barcode—A series of vertical bars and spaces that represent ancillary service—Forwarding, change, return, or address any numerical series, most often a correct ZIP Code for the correction service included within a mail class. Depending on delivery address on a mailpiece. The barcode facilitates the mail class, these services are performed at a charge or at automated processing by barcode readers and scanners. A no additional charge, if and when the service is actually provided. barcode also can be used to convey information for USPS Also see forward. Tracking and Signature Confirmation services. Barcodes that may be used for postal processing are POSTNET, Intelligent ancillary service endorsement—A marking used by a mailer Mail, and GS1-128. Also see delivery point barcode (DPBC) and to request the new address of an addressee and to provide the Postal Numeric Encoding Technique (POSTNET). USPS with instructions on how to handle mail that is undeliverable as addressed. Also see address correction service. barcode clear zone—A rectangular area in the lower right part of a letter-size mailpiece that must be kept free of printing and area distribution center (ADC)—A mail processing facility symbols, except for the barcode itself. This requirement allows that receives and distributes mail destined for specific ZIP automated processing machines to read or apply a barcode. Codes. ADCs and their associated ZIP Codes are in DMM labeling list L004. barcode read area—A small area within the barcode clear zone in which the barcode must be printed. This area is defined by Army Post Office (APO)—A branch of a designated USPS the position of the leftmost bar of the barcode and the bottom civilian Post Office, which falls under the jurisdiction of the edge of the bar. postmaster of either New York City or San Francisco, that serves either Army or Air Force personnel. Also see Military Post Office barcode reader—A component in certain mail processing (MPO). equipment that reads and interprets the barcode applied to a mailpiece.

barcoded container label—A tray or sack label that has a barcode that can be read and processed by an automated tray or sack handling system.

Effective April 27, 2016 Bound Printed Matter (BPM)—A subclass of Package Centralized Postage Payment System (CPP)—A postage Services that consists of permanently bound sheets of which at payment system administered by the Pricing and Classification least 90% are printed with advertising, promotional, directory, Service Center that allows publishers of authorized Periodicals or editorial matter (or a combination of such matter). publications entered at three or more Post Offices to pay postage at a single postal facility rather than through individual accounts Bulk Parcel Return Service (BPRS)—A service by which maintained at each entry Post Office. high-volume mailers may have undeliverable-as-addressed Standard Mail machinable parcels returned to the mailer. Certified Mail—A service that provides the sender with a mailing receipt. A delivery record is maintained by the USPS. bundle—A group of addressed pieces assembled and secured This type of mail must be sent at First-Class Mail or Priority Mail together to make up a basic unit of bulk mail for processing prices. Certified mail may be combined with return receipt purposes. service and restricted delivery service. business mail entry unit (BMEU)—The area of a postal classification—The grouping of mailable matter into mail facility where mailers present bulk, presorted, and permit imprint classes and subclasses by price categories, according to mail for acceptance. The BMEU includes dedicated platform content, weight, size, and preparation standards. space, office space, and a staging area on the workroom floor. A business mail entry unit lookup tool is available on Postal Classroom price—A Periodicals price that is available to an Explorer. authorized mailer of educational, scientific, or religious publications for scholastic or religious instruction. Business Reply Mail (BRM)—A service that allows a permit holder to receive First-Class Mail and Priority Mail back from Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS)—A service customers and pay postage only for the returned pieces. These offered to mailers, service bureaus, and software vendors that pieces must have a specific address and format. Postage and improves the accuracy of matching to delivery point codes, per piece charges are collected when the mail is delivered back ZIP+4 codes, 5-digit ZIP Codes, and carrier route codes on to the permit holder. mailpieces. CASS provides a common platform to measure the quality of address matching software and to diagnose and caller service—An optional delivery service provided for a fee correct software problems. An Overview of the CASS Program at all Post Offices to customers with large volumes of mail, to and list of CASS certified vendors are available on RIBBS.gov. customers needing multiple separations, and to customers who need a Post Office box number address when no Post Office collect on delivery (COD)—A service for mailers who need to boxes are available. mail an article for which they have not received payment. The amount due the sender is collected from the addressee and the carrier route—The addresses to which a carrier delivers mail. USPS returns the amount due to the sender. In common usage, carrier route includes city routes, rural routes, highway contract routes, Post Office box sections, and general combined mailing—A mailing in which individually addressed delivery units. mailpieces are merged and sorted together, usually using two or more postage payment methods. Carrier Route File—The official listing of all city and noncity delivery Post Offices, available to mailers in a standardized commercial mail receiving agency (CMRA)—A private format. It contains schemes for city routes, rural routes, highway business that acts as the mail receiving agent for specific clients contract routes, Post Office box sections, and general delivery by providing a delivery address and other services. units. The data is formatted by ZIP Code, street name, and street number range. commingle—To integrate dissimilar mail (such as subscriber and nonsubscriber copies or machinable and irregular parcels) carrier route presort mail—Mail sorted by carrier route to into the same mailing. qualify for discounted postage. The mail requires no primary or secondary distribution. The term is a general descriptor of the computer-readable media—A DVD, CD (compact disk), and available prices for this type of preparation, which includes CD-ROM are mailable at single-piece and discount prices based Carrier Route Standard Mail, carrier route Periodicals, and on the packaging or mailer and contents. For additional carrier route Bound Printed Matter. information, contact your Business Mail Entry office.

Computerized Forwarding System (CFS)—A centralized, computerized address label-generating operation that performs address correction and forwards or returns undeliverable-as- addressed mail to customers.

content identifier number (CIN)—A code number on a tray or sack label that represents and identifies the class of mail and presort level.

Effective April 27, 2016 cooperative mailing—A mailing made jointly by one or more detached address label (DAL)—Paper or cardstock used to organizations authorized to mail at Nonprofit Standard Mail carry address information when preparing a mailing of prices at the same Post Office. unaddressed Periodicals flats, Standard Mail flats and merchandise samples, and Bound Printed Matter. copalletize—To combine and present together on pallets mail from two or more different or separately produced mailstreams. detached mail unit (DMU)—An area in a mailer’s facility where postal employees perform mail verification, acceptance, Courtesy Reply Mail (CRM)—Envelopes or postcards that a dispatch, and other postal functions. mailer provides to its customers to expedite delivery of their responses. The customer affixes the reply postage before direct mail—Another name for advertising mail sent to targeted mailing. markets. It can be any mail class, but it is usually Standard Mail. dead mail—Mail that is undeliverable as addressed and cannot dimensional weight—Postage for Priority Mail packages be returned to the sender (usually because there is no return addressed for delivery to zones 5-9 and exceeding one cubic address on the piece). foot (1,728 cubic inches) is based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight, whichever is greater. delivery point barcode (DPBC)—A POSTNET barcode that consists of 62 bars with beginning and ending frame bars and drop shipment—Typically the movement of a mailer’s product 5 bars each for the nine digits of the ZIP+4 code, the last 2 digits on private (nonpostal) transportation from the point of production of the primary street address number (or Post Office box, etc.), to a postal facility located closer to the destination of that product. and a correction digit. The DPBC allows automated sortation of letter mail in carrier walk sequence. eligibility—Qualification standards such as content, mail processing category, and preparation applied to mail for a delivery sequenced mail—Mail that is arranged by a mailer in specific price or discount. delivery order for a particular carrier route. This mail requires no primary or secondary distribution. endorsement—An authorized marking on a mailpiece that shows handling instructions, a service, or a request for an destination area distribution center (DADC) price—A price ancillary service. Also see marking. available for Periodicals mail that is prepared and entered by the mailer at the area distribution center (ADC) that serves the entry facility—The USPS mail processing facility (e.g., NDC, delivery address on the mail. SCF) that serves the Post Office at which the mail is entered by the mailer. Also called origin facility. destination delivery unit (DDU) price—A price available for Periodicals, Standard Mail, Parcel Select, and Bound Printed entry NDC—A network distibution center (NDC), including its Matter that is properly prepared and entered by the mailer at the satellite auxiliary service facility (ASF) unless specified delivery unit that serves the delivery address on the mail. otherwise, at which mail is entered by the mailer. Also see network distribution center (NDC) and auxiliary service facility destination network distribution center (DNDC) price—A (ASF). price available for Standard Mail, Parcel Select, and Bound Printed Matter that is properly prepared and entered by the entry Post Office—A Post Office at which a mailer deposits mailer at the NDC or other designated postal facility that serves mailings to be paid for through an account maintained at the the delivery address on the mail. designated Post Office. destination sectional center facility (DSCF) price—A price extended managed mail tray (EMM)—A 2-foot letter tray that available for Periodicals, Standard Mail, Parcel Select, and measures 21-3/4 inches long by 11-1/2 inches wide (inside Bound Printed Matter that is properly prepared and entered by bottom dimensions) by 6-1/8 inches high. Must be used for “tall” the mailer at the sectional center facility (SCF) or other letter-size mail that does not fit in a regular managed mail (MM) designated postal facility that serves the delivery address on the tray. mail.

Effective April 26, 2016 face—The side of a mailpiece with the delivery address. Also, forward—To redirect mail to the intended recipient’s new to arrange mail in a uniform orientation; that is, with the delivery delivery address in cases where PS Form 3575, Change of address facing forward and the postage area positioned in the Address Order, or other written or personal notice has been filed upper right corner. with the local Post Office. Also see Address Change Service (ACS), address correction service, and ancillary service. facing identification mark (FIM)—A series of five or six vertical bars used by automated postal equipment to identify, franked mail—Official mail sent without postage prepayment orient, and separate reply mail and mail produced by PC postage by members and members-elect of Congress, the Vice systems and some postage meters. President, and other authorized individuals. Mail must relate to the mailer’s official business, activities, and duties. The facing slip—A paper label attached to the top of a bundle that mailpiece bears a written signature, printed facsimile signature, shows where the mail is to be distributed, the class and type of or other required marking instead of a postage stamp. Compare mail, and the country or military Post Office. Also see optional with penalty mail. endorsement line. full flat tray—A tray that is sufficiently filled with flats to allow FASTforward—A USPS-licensed automated system that or require preparation to the corresponding presort destination. updates addresses by matching names and addresses with A full flat tray contains at least enough pieces so that a single current change-of-address orders on file. A piece updated with stack of mail lying flat on the bottom of the tray reaches to the FASTforward can be delivered directly to the new address rather bottom of the handholds. Additional pieces must be added when than forwarded from the old address. possible to physically fill the tray.

Federal Register—A daily weekday publication distributed by full letter tray—A full tray is filled between 85% and 100% with the Office of the Federal Register in which certain U.S. faced, upright pieces. Each tray must be physically filled to government documents must be published. The USPS capacity before the filling of the next tray. Also see less-than- publishes proposed and final mail preparation changes in the full tray and overflow tray. Federal Register for public comment and notice. A listing of Postal Service Federal Register Notices is available at Postal full sack—A sack filled with the minimum number of pieces Explorer at pe.usps.com. needed to qualify for the class and price claimed.

First-Class Mail (FCM)—A class of mail that includes all matter hazardous material (HAZMAT)—Any article or substance wholly or partly in writing or typewriting, all actual and personal designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as correspondence, all bills and statements of account, and all being capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, matter sealed or otherwise closed against inspection. Priority and property during transportation. Mail is a subclass of First-Class Mail. Any mailable matter may be sent as First-Class Mail. highway contract route (HCR)—A route of travel served by a postal contractor to carry mail over highways between flat—The general term for flat-size mail, so called because the designated points. Some HCRs include mail delivery to large mail is sorted without bending it so that the mail remains addresses along the line of travel. Formerly called star route. flat. identical piece—An individual mailpiece that has the same mail flat-size mail—A flexible rectangular mailpiece that exceeds classification and physical aspect, size, and weight as all other one of the dimensions for letter-size mail (11-1/2 inches long, pieces in a mailing. 6-1/8 inches high, 1/4 inch thick) but that does not exceed the maximum dimension for the mail processing category (15 inches indicia—Imprinted designation on mail that denotes postage long, 12 inches high, 3/4 inch thick). Dimensions are different payment (e.g., metered postage or permit imprint). for Periodicals automation flat-size mail. Flat-size mail may be unwrapped, sleeved, wrapped, or enveloped. information-based indicia (IBI)—Digital indicia that include human-readable information and a USPS-approved two- Fleet Post Office (FPO)—A branch of a designated USPS dimensional barcode with a digital signature and other required civilian Post Office, which falls under the jurisdiction of the fields. postmaster of either New York City or San Francisco, that serves Coast Guard, Navy, or Marine Corps personnel. Also see military insert—A letter, card, or similar item placed inside another Post Office. mailpiece (host piece).

FLTS—An abbreviation used on mail container labels that insured mail—A service that provides indemnity coverage for identifies the contents as flat-size. a lost, rifled, or damaged article, subject to the standards for the service and payment of the applicable fee. Insurance is available for merchandise sent as provided in DMM 503.

Effective April 26, 2016 International Mail Manual (IMM)—The USPS manual that machinable parcel—A parcel that is of the correct size and contains prices and classification standards for mailing between weight to be safely sorted by mail processing machinery such the United States and all other countries. The IMM Index of as a parcel sorting machine. Countries contains complete price information for each country. mail—Any mailable matter that is accepted for mail processing International Standard Book Number (ISBN)—A publication and delivery by the USPS. Also, the sum total of the mail at any number issued by the Library of Congress that identifies a time that is in USPS custody. To deposit a mailable item in a specific book or other nonperiodical. collection box or present the item (or a mailing for large quantities of mailpieces) at a Post Office or business mail entry unit. International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)—A publication number issued by the Library of Congress that identifies a mail class—The classification of domestic mail according to specific book or other periodical. content (e.g., personal correspondence versus printed advertising). It is codified in the Mail Classification Schedule. keyline—Optional mailer information printed in or above the address or in the lower left corner of the envelope. The mailing—A group of mailpieces within the same mail class and information in a keyline identifies the mailpiece and its presort mail processing category that may be sorted together under the level. Under some postage payment systems, the keyline is a appropriate standards. Also, the action of depositing or required line that contains specific information about the presenting mail at a Post Office. mailpiece. mailing agent—A private third party that mails on behalf of known office of publication—The business office of a someone else. Periodicals publication that is in the city where the original entry for Periodicals mailing privileges is authorized. Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)—The USPS manual that less-than-full tray—A tray that contains mail for a single contains the standards governing domestic mail services, destination that was not preceded by a full tray for that descriptions of the mail classes and services and conditions destination. Less-than-full trays may be prepared only if governing their uses, standards for price eligibility and mail permitted by the standards for the price claimed. preparation, and all postage prices and fees. Domestic mail is classified by size, weight, shape, content, service, and other letter—According to the Private Express Statutes, a message factors. directed to a specific person or an address and recorded in or on a tangible object. Also a shortened way to refer to letter-size managed mail (MM) tray—A stackable cardboard or plastic mail. container with an enclosing cardboard sleeve and plastic strap that is used to transport letter mail to or between Post Offices. letter-size mail—A mail processing category of mailpieces, including cards, that do not exceed any of the dimensions for Manifest Mailing System (MMS)—A postage payment letter-size mail (i.e., 11-1/2 inches long, 6-1/8 inches high, 1/4 system that enables the USPS to accept and verify permit inch thick). imprint mailings that contain nonidentical-weight and/or nonidentical-price pieces. These pieces are prepared by the Library Mail—A subclass of Package Services for items sent mailer according to certain standards and require specialized to or from or exchanged between academic institutions, public documentation. libraries, museums, and other authorized organizations. Books, sound recordings, academic theses, and certain other items may marking—Words or abbreviations printed on a mailpiece that be mailed at the Library Mail price if properly marked. show the class of mail, presort level, or ancillary service endorsement. See also endorsement. line-of-travel (LOT) sequence—A sequence required for some carrier route prices in which mailpieces are arranged by Media Mail—A subclass of Package Services that consists of ZIP+4 codes in the order in which the route is served by the books, sheet music, printed educational material, film, carrier. The mailpieces are sequenced in delivery order. videocassettes, and computer prerecorded media such as CD- ROMs. Advertising restrictions apply. LTR (or LTRS)—An abbreviation used on mail tray labels that identifies the contents as letter-size pieces. merchandise return service—A service whereby an authorized company provides a customer with a special mailing MACH—An abbreviation used on mail container labels that label to return a shipment without prepaying postage. The identifies the contents as machinable letters or parcels (mail that company pays the return postage. can be processed on mechanized mail sorting equipment). Merlin—MERLIN is an acronym for Mail Evaluation Readability machinable—The ability of a mailpiece to be sorted by mail Lookup Instrument, is a tool that is used by the U.S. Postal processing equipment. Compare with nonmachinable. Service to assist with the acceptance of business mail.

Effective April 26, 2016 meter reply mail (MRM)—A preprinted return envelope, card, nonmachinable—The inability of a mailpiece to be sorted on or label provided by a meter license holder as a courtesy to mail processing equipment because of size, shape, content, or customers on which the postage is prepaid with a meter stamp. address legibility. Such mail must be processed manually. These pieces must have a specific address and format. Compare to Business Reply Mail and Courtesy Reply Mail. nonmailable articles and substances—Anything that, by statute, “may kill or injure another, or injure the mails or other meter stamp—Postage printed on a mailpiece or label by a property.” There are some exceptions to this rule that allow postage meter or PC Postage System. Meter stamps may be otherwise unmailable items to be mailed. used to pay postage for all mail classes except Periodicals. Nonprofit price—A preferred price for a Periodicals publisher metered mail—Any piece of mail with postage printed by a authorized to mail as a nonprofit organization. USPS-approved postage meter or PC Postage System. Nonprofit Standard Mail—A subclass of Standard Mail that is military ordinary mail (MOM)—A category for Department of available only to qualified organizations specified by U.S. Defense official mail sent at Periodicals or Standard Mail prices statute. that requires faster service than sealift transportation to, from, and between military Post Offices. This mail is moved by surface Nonprofit Standard Mail Eligibility— Publication 417, transportation to a gateway facility and from there by air at a discusses eligibility, authorization, and the rules for mailing at specific transportation price and service standard. Compare with the Nonprofit Standard Mail prices. Many customers find it parcel airlift (PAL). helpful to reference this publication to gain authorization and determine the eligibility of their mailpiece. Also see the Standard Military Post Office (MPO)—A branch of a U.S. civil Post Mail Eligibility Decision Tree. Office operated by the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps to serve military personnel overseas or aboard ships. Also see official mail—Mail authorized by federal law to be sent by Army Post Office (APO) and Fleet Post Office (FPO). government officials without postage prepayment. It includes franked mail sent by members of Congress and penalty mail minimum size standard—The smallest dimensions permitted sent by U.S. government agencies. for all mailable matter or for a specific mail processing category or specific price. optical character reader (OCR)—An automated mail sorting machine that interprets the address information on a letter-size mixed class—A mailing containing more than one class of mail. mailpiece and sprays the corresponding ZIP Code information With certain exceptions, the postage on the entire piece or onto the piece as a barcode. bundle is charged at the price of the higher class. optional endorsement line (OEL)—A series of specific MXD—An abbreviation used on mail container labels that printed characters on the top line of the address block that identifies the contents as mixed mail for different destinations. identifies the sortation level of a bundle and may contain an ACS Usually indicates the last presort level in a sequence. participant code. The OEL is used in place of bundle labels.

National Change of Address Linkage System (NCOALink)— origin network distribution center (ONDC) Presort—A An address correction service that the USPS provides to mailers price available for Parcel Select that is properly prepared and through USPS licensees. The licensees match mailing lists entered by the mailer at the origin NDC or other designated submitted to them on tape or disk against change-of-address postal facility. information for the entire country from all Computerized outsert—Mailing industry term for an external attachment. Forwarding System units. If a match is made, NCOALink can correct the address before it is printed on a mailpiece. Additional overflow tray—A less-than-full tray that contains pieces information and a list of Vendors and Licensees that have been remaining after preparation of full trays for the same destination. certified through CASS and MASS address matching software Overflow trays may be prepared only if allowed by the standards is available online. for the price claimed. network distribution center (NDC)—A highly mechanized oversized price—USPS Retail Ground and Parcel Select price mail processing plant that distributes Standard Mail and for pieces exceeding 108 inches but not more than 130 inches Package Services in piece and bulk form. Also see auxiliary in combined length and girth. service facility (ASF). Package Services—A class of mail that comprises three network distribution center (NDC) Presort price—A price subclasses: Bound Printed Matter, Library Mail, and Media Mail. available for Parcel Select that is properly prepared and entered There is no minimum weight limit for Package Services. by the mailer at a NDC or other designated postal facility. pallet—A reusable platform on which mail is stacked to be moved as a single unit. Pallets are made of rigid material

Effective April 26, 2016 designed for four-way forklift entry and capable of handling loads postage statement—Documentation provided by a mailer to of up to 65 cubic feet and 2,200 pounds. A USPS pallet measures the USPS that reports the volume of mail being presented and 48 by 40 inches. Also see copalletize and top cap. the postage payable or affixed, and certifies that the mail meets the applicable eligibility standards for the price claimed. parcel—Mail that does not meet the mail processing category of letter-size mail or flat-size mail. It is usually enclosed in a Postal Numeric Encoding Technique (POSTNET)—The mailing container such as a box. barcode system used on letter-size and flat-size mailpieces for encoding the delivery point information and ZIP+4 code parcel airlift (PAL)—A service that provides air transportation information. Also see delivery point barcode (DPBC). for parcels on a space-available basis to or from military Post Offices outside the 48 contiguous states. postcard—A privately printed mailing card. Compare to stamped card. PC Postage System—A postage system used to purchase and print postage with a personal computer, a printer, and Internet precancel—To cancel postage stamps or stamped envelopes access. before mailing. If authorized, bulk mailers may precancel their own postage. penalty mail—Official mail sent without postage prepayment by officers of the executive and judicial branches of the U.S. precanceled stamp—A postage stamp canceled by marking Government, by departments and agencies of the U.S. across the face before it is sold to mailers for use with discount Government, and by specifically authorized individuals. mailings. Also, a stamp designated by the USPS as a Agencies then reimburse the USPS for the penalty mail service precanceled stamp without cancellation marks. The USPS sells they receive. The term comes from the endorsement “Penalty precanceled stamps for Presorted First-Class Mail and regular for Private Use” printed on the mail. Compare to franked mail. and nonprofit Standard Mail. Mailpieces with these stamps do not go through a canceling machine at the time of mail Periodicals—A class of mail consisting of magazines, processing. Also see precancel. newspapers, or other publications formed of printed sheets that are issued at least four times a year at regular, specified intervals presort—The process by which a mailer groups mail by ZIP (frequency) from a known office of publication. Periodicals Code so that it is sorted to the finest extent required by the usually must have a legitimate list of subscribers and requesters. standards for the price claimed. Generally, presort is performed sequentially, from the lowest (finest) level to the highest level, permit—Any authorization required for specific types of to those destinations specified by standard and is completed at preparation or postage payment. Specifically, an authorization each level before the next level is prepared. Not all presort levels to mail without postage affixed by using indicia or an imprint. are applicable to all mailings. Payment is made against an advance deposit account that is established with the USPS for postage and services. Permits Presort Accuracy Validation and Evaluation (PAVE)—A also are required to participate in certain programs such as program that evaluates presort software and determine its Business Reply Mail. accuracy in sorting address files under DMM standards. An overview of the program and a list of PAVE certified vendors are permit imprint—Printed indicia, instead of an adhesive available on ribbs.usps.gov. postage stamp or meter stamp, that shows postage prepayment by an authorized mailer. Presorted Standard—The postage price for Standard Mail pieces that are part of a mailing and that meet minimum volume piece—An individually addressed mailpiece. This definition also and preparation requirements. applies when the term “piece” is used in eligibility standards. Quantities indicated for optional or required sortations always refer to pieces unless specifically excepted. piece price—For some mail classes, the postage charged for each mailpiece in addition to the pound price charge. plant-verified drop shipment (PVDS)—A procedure that enables origin verification and postage payment for shipments transported by the mailer from the mailer’s plant to destination Post Offices for USPS acceptance as mail. PVDS is typically used for mailings for which a destination entry discount is claimed. postage—Payment for delivery service that is affixed or imprinted to a mailpiece, usually in the form of a postage stamp, permit imprint, or meter stamp.

Effective April 26, 2016 Price List (Notice 123)—The Price List is a publication that Registered Mail—Provides the most secure service offered by contains domestic and international prices and fees in a concise the USPS. The sender receives a receipt at the time of mailing, and accessible manner. and a delivery record is maintained by the USPS. This service also provides optional indemnity in case of loss or damage. pricing and classification service center (PCSC)—A USPS Compare with Certified Mail and insured mail. field office that provides guidance to employees and customers on mail classification, postage prices, and mail preparation. restricted delivery—A supplemental mail service that generally limits who may receive an item. This service is printed matter—Paper on which words, letters, characters, available for a fee when used with Certified Mail, collect on figures, or images (or any combination of them) not having the delivery, insured mail, and Registered Mail. character of a bill or statement of account, or of actual and personal correspondence, have been reproduced by any restricted matter—Any item on which certain mailing process other than handwriting or typewriting. restrictions have been imposed for legal reasons other than risk of harm to persons or property involved in moving the mail and Priority Mail—First-Class Mail that weighs more than 13 that require specific endorsements and markings. Examples ounces and, at the mailer’s option, any other mail matter include odd-shaped items in envelopes, motor vehicle master weighing less than 13 ounces mailed at Priority Mail prices. keys, and locksmithing devices as well as odor-producing Priority Mail provides expedited delivery. Any mailable matter materials, certain liquids and powders, and battery-powered may be sent as Priority Mail. devices. Compare to hazardous material.

Priority Mail Express—A mail class that provides expedited rural route (RR)—A delivery route served by a rural carrier. delivery service. This is the fastest mail service offered by the USPS. Priority Mail Express International Service is available scheme—Systematic plan for the distribution of mail to its between the United States and most other countries. destination.

Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS)—A Priority scheme sort—The distribution of mail to its destination Mail Express service available between the United States and according to a systematic plan determined by the mail designated APO and FPO addresses that provides Department processing functional area. Typically, a scheme sort allows of Defense and other authorized personnel stationed overseas mailers to combine pieces addressed to two or more 5-digit or with expedited delivery service to or from the United States. 3-digit ZIP Code areas. processing and distribution center/facility (P&DC/F)—A Science-of-Agriculture price—A Periodicals price that is central mail facility that processes and dispatches part or all of available to an authorized mailer of agriculture publications. both incoming mail and outgoing mail for a designated service area. It also provides instructions on the preparation of collection sectional center facility (SCF)—A postal facility that serves mail, dispatch schedules, and sorting plan requirements to as the processing and distribution center (P&DC) for Post mailers. The facility is usually a sectional center facility or a Offices in a designated geographic area as defined by the first general mail facility, but it can also be a dedicated mail three digits of the ZIP Codes of those offices. Some SCFs processing facility without a Post Office station or branch. serve more than one 3-digit ZIP Code range. prohibited matter—Any material that is illegal to mail because shipper paid forwarding (SPF)—An address change service it can kill or injure an individual or damage other mail. This (ACS) fulfillment vehicle. It allows mailers of Standard Mail includes certain poisons and controlled substances and certain machinable parcels and most Package Services pieces to pay flammable or hazardous matter. forwarding charges via approved ACS participant code(s). qualified business reply mail (QBRM)—Business Reply Mail shortpaid mail—Mail on which additional postage is collectable that is processed and rated by automated means, including the on final delivery. automated calculation of postage and fees. QBRM pieces must meet certain design specifications and may be eligible for the Signature Confirmation—A service that provides information lowest per piece fee available for BRM and for reduced to the mailer about the date and time of delivery, including the automation First-Class Mail postage. recipient’s signature or the date and time of the delivery attempt. This service may be obtained in two forms: (1) an electronic Quick Service Guide—Publication 95, Quick Service Guide, a option for mailers who apply identifying barcodes to each piece, concise overview of mail preparation and deposit for specific provide an electronic file, and retrieve delivery status information mail classes. electronically; and (2) a retail option for mailers who retrieve delivery status through the Internet at www.usps.com or by raffle tickets—For an overview of the eligibility of lottery calling 800-222-1811. advertisements by authorized nonprofit organizations, see Customer Support Ruling 307. single-piece—A postage price available for individual pieces of mail under certain products. It is not available for Periodicals

Effective April 26, 2016 except under the price category of basic. This type of price general and permanent laws of the United States; 39 USC contrasts with prices available for commercial mail. contains laws relating to the USPS. skew—The misalignment or slant of a character, bar, line of USPS Tracking—A service that provides the date and time of characters, or barcode with respect to the bottom or top edge delivery or, if delivery was attempted but not successful, the date of the mailpiece. and time of the delivery attempt. This service may be obtained in two forms: (1) an electronic option for mailers who apply sleeve—A paperboard jacket that fits over the four sides (top, identifying barcodes to each piece, provide an electronic file, bottom, and two parallel sides) of a letter tray in order to keep and retrieve delivery status information electronically; and (2) a the mail inside the tray from falling out. retail option for mailers who retrieve delivery status through the USPS Internet at www.usps.com or by calling 800-222-1811. stamped card—A postcard sold by the USPS (as distinguished from a privately printed postcard) with a printed or impressed verification—The procedural checks of a mailing presented by postage stamp. Compare to postcard. a mailer to determine proper preparation and postage payment.

Standard Mail—A class of mail that weighs less than 16 walk sequence—The order in which a carrier delivers mail for ounces. It comprises the subclasses of Regular Standard Mail, a route. This order is required for most carrier route presort mail. Nonprofit Standard Mail, Carrier Route Standard Mail, and Nonprofit Carrier Route Standard Mail. These subclasses WKG—An abbreviation for “working” used on mail container include circulars, printed matter, pamphlets, catalogs, labels that identifies the contents as mail that needs to be worked newsletters, direct mail, and merchandise. Standard Mail may (sorted and distributed). be sent at Carrier Route, automation, nonautomation, and Not Flat-Machinable prices. ZIP code—A system of 5-digit codes that identifies the individual Post Office or metropolitan area delivery station associated with subclass—A subdivision of a mail class, usually based on the an address. ZIP+4 is an enhanced code consisting of the 5-digit consideration of a physical characteristic rather than content. ZIP Code and four additional digits that identify a specific range tap test—When a insert showing through the window is moved of delivery addresses. to any of its limits inside the envelope, the entire barcode must remain within the barcode clear zone, and a clear space must ZIP+4 code—A nine-digit numeric code composed of two parts: be maintained that is at least 1/8 inch between the barcode and (a) the initial code: the first five digits that identify the sectional the left and right edges of the window, at least 1/25 inch between center facility and delivery area associated with the address, the barcode and the top edge of the window, and at least 3/16 followed by a hyphen; and (b) the four-digit expanded code: the inch between the barcode and the bottom edge of the mailpiece. first two additional digits designate the sector (a geographic area) and the last two digits designate the segment (a building, top cap—Material that forms a flat, level surface horizontal to floor, etc.). the base of a pallet that is used to protect the integrity of the mail under the top cap while also supporting a loaded pallet ZIP+4 barcode—A nine-digit POSTNET barcode consisting of above. A top cap must be secured to a pallet of mail with either 52 vertical bars. Also see Postal Numeric Encoding Technique stretchwrap or at least two crossed straps or bands. (POSTNET). tray—A container used in postal facilities to hold letters and zone chart—The USPS Official National Zone Chart Data First-Class Mail flats. It is used as a basic unit of mail quantity Program is administered from the National Customer Support for purposes of preparing mail to qualify for discounted postage. Center (NCSC) in Memphis, TN. Single-page zone charts for Also see full flat tray, full letter tray, less-than-full tray, and originating mail are available at no cost from local Post Offices overflow tray. or online at pe.usps.com. undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA)—Mail that the USPS zoned price—A price structure for certain products that is cannot deliver as addressed and must forward to the addressee, based on weight and distance traveled (or number of zones return to the sender, or send to a mail recovery center. crossed). unique ZIP Code—A ZIP Code assigned to a company, government agency, or entity with sufficient mail volume, based on average daily volume of letter-size mail received, availability of ZIP Code numbers in the postal area, and USPS cost-benefit analyses.

USPS Retail Ground—A separate product offered only at retail with prices based generally on weight and zone.

United States Code (USC)—The official restatement of the

Effective April 26, 2016